‘Do it again, scientifically’: Lingayats oppose Karnataka caste census

After the Vokkaligas, the other dominant caste in Karnataka, the Lingayats, have also opposed the Socio-Economic and Education Survey, popularly known as the “caste census”, conducted by the state government, dubbing it “unscientific”.

The Lingayats have, however, clarified that they are not against such a survey per se. They just want it to be “scientific”, conducted using modern technology, and up to date.

After the Bihar government released the findings of its caste survey recently, pressure is now mounting on the Siddaramaiah government, to make public the survey report. The survey was commissioned way back in 2015, by the then Congress government also headed by Siddaramaiah. It had cost the state exchequer around Rs 170 crore.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently said a decision will be taken once he receives the report, which is expected later this month. The state Backward Classes Commission under its then chairperson H Kantharaj was tasked with preparing the caste census report. Current chairperson K Jayaprakash Hegde said last month he would submit the report to the state government in November.

However, with the strong disapproval of two dominant communities, the issue may turn out to be a political hot potato for the Congress government, as it may set the stage for a confrontation, with Dalits and OBCs among others demanding for it to be made public.

The Lingayat argument

“No, we are not happy; it (the caste census) is not scientific. It was done sitting here; they had not visited houses. It was done eight years ago. So, our opinion is that it should be done once again scientifically,” president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, told the media on Thursday (November 9). He is also a veteran Congress leader and MLA,

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Mahasabha, which is the apex body of the Veerashaiva Lingayats.

Shivashankarappa shared with reporters the community’s concern: “There are reports that the Lingayat population has been shown as smaller in the survey.”

He explained that the Lingayats are not opposed to the caste census as such, but want it to be scientific. “Using modern technology, a fresh census (survey) has to be done. This is our opinion.”

Joint agitation?

Last week, Vokkaliga leaders at a meeting that was also attended by Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and seers from the community, had passed a resolution urging the government to “reject” the caste census.

However, federations representing Dalits, tribal people, and other backward classes (OBC) on Wednesday demanded that the findings of the caste census be made public.

Accusing both the dominant communities of trying to block the caste census from coming out, leaders of the Karnataka State Backward Castes Federation and the Karnataka Marginalised Communities Federation have threatened to hold agitations.

To a question about some persons claiming that this is not a caste census, Shivashankarappa said, “Yes, it is a Socio-Economic and Education Survey; it is not the caste census. So let the new caste census be done.”

Asked if there will be a joint agitation, with Vokkaligas too disapproving of the survey, he said, “Let’s see...we will decide about the agitation in the future.”

When it was pointed out that the government would get the survey report from the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes this month, the Lingayat leader said, “Let them get the report...but it should not be accepted or revealed.”

Why the delay?

According to some analysts, successive governments have been shying away from releasing it, as the findings of the survey are contrary to the “traditional perception” of the numerical strength of various castes in Karnataka, especially the dominant Lingayats and Vokkaligas, making it a political hot potato.

Political parties in the state have indulged in a blame game for not accepting the survey and not making it public.

Officials have also cited the then member-secretary of the State Commission for Backward Classes not signing the final report as the technical hurdle that has hindered the release of the report.

They said the caste census report is currently with the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, and once it submits it, the Cabinet would take a call.